Summer Museum Updates

Here are a few updates from the Franconia Museum this summer:

Moose Lodge Supports Museum!
Franconia Lodge #1076, Loyal Order of Moose, has made a substantial contribution to the Franconia Museum. The Board of Directors of the Franconia Museum thanks the Moose for their support. The Moose has a long history in Franconia, and its members have contributed greatly to the area’s history. We will document the Moose Lodge’s Franconia history in an upcoming issue of our Museum newsletter!

Webmaster Needed!
The Museum has a website, the cost of which is underwritten by Rob Heittman. Rob is the son of Bob Heitman, one of the founders of the organization. We would like to better utilize the website with frequent updates about Franconia history news and continue to archive our newsletters. We are blessed to have our occasional e-mail history items disseminated by Bob and Kelly Hakenson. We want to augment that service with periodic announcements on the website. The item of business will be to update our current website, making it easier to become a member, buy a book or item, or communicate with the Board of Directors. If you can help, please contact Museum president Carl Sell at sellcarl@aol.com or 703-971-4716. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Volunteers Needed:
We are seeking volunteers to serve as docents during the hours we are currently open (10-2 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday). We will expand hours if we have more volunteers. Call Carl Sell, call Don Hakenson (703-971-4984), or e-mail Don at dhakenson@verizon.net. Knowledge about Franconia will make it easy! We will provide information on the artifacts.

Mary Smith Update:
Long-time resident and Museum committee member Mary Smith remains in Mount Vernon Rehabilitation Center, recovering from her second surgery since January. The Rehab Center is located behind Mount Vernon Hospital. Mary would love to see neighbors from Rose Hill and Franconia. Ask for Mary’s room at the front desk.

Previously Read Books Needed:
The Museum’s stock of previously read books is low. Please donate any books you no longer need. We will resell them for a fraction of the original cost and add the revenue to our treasury. Novels are particularly popular, including those of a historical nature. Drop your book donations by the Museum at your convenience. If the Museum is closed, leave them at the door, along with the name of the donor. Our previously read book collection is a popular item and a fund-raiser for the Museum!

Vacation at O. C., Support the Museum:
Carl Sell has a two bedroom, two bath condo at Ocean City, MD, that he is willing to rent to Museum members and supporters only. The condo is on the first floor of a two-story building that has plenty of parking and a pool. The complex is in North Ocean City near the Delaware line, only four short blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. The cost to Museum supporters is $600 per week (Sunday to Sunday), with $100 of that being donated to the Museum. The condo is perfect for small families, or adults who like a quiet vacation spot. Internet and TV Streaming are available. This offer is restricted to Franconia Museum members and supporters and is not transferable. Call or e-mail Carl for availability and/or more information.

Civil War Tours Raise Funds for Museum:
Over the years, the Both Sides Tours to nearby Civil War sites have raised more than $8,000 for the Franconia Museum. The next tour will be to Gettysburg on Saturday, October 26, 2024, and will cover the second day of the famous battle. The cost of $125.00 includes a seat on the bus and an all-you-can-eat lunch stop. Don Hakenson, Ben Trittipoe and Carl Sell serve as commentators on this popular tour. Contact Don for information and reserve a seat on the October 26 tour!

January marked the beginning of the Franconia Museum’s annual membership drive. We can’t do it without your support, so please consider becoming a member for this year. Contributions in excess of the membership fee are encouraged. The Museum is a volunteer, but there are costs for insurance of our artifacts, printing and postage. Please help! Join or Renew with the application below.

2024 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE – PLEASE JOIN OR RENEW:
Join us in celebrating our 23rd year of preserving and protecting the history of our unique community. Our collections are growing, and we are starting to purchase electronic equipment for displays that will be available in the new Franconia Govt. Center coming in 2024 next to Lane Elementary and Beulah Park. Make the move with us by becoming a member! Additional donations are especially welcome! We are a tax-exempt volunteer organization. There are no fund-raising costs! Come see us and learn about our past, present and future! Join us as a new member, renew your 2024 membership, or become a Lifetime or Founding member. We need to fill vacancies on our Board of Directors, and need volunteers to help man the Museum on Mon-Tues-Wed-Sat.

MUSEUM UPDATES:
This is an update on activities involving the Franconia Museum. If you would like for a friend to receive these FREE e-mail articles, please contact us at franconiamuseum@yahoo.com Membership is also encouraged so that we can continue our work. The Museum is located in the Franconia Government Center, currently located at 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22310. The hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, as approved by the Internal Revenue Service.